Share of population living in urban and rural areas in France
France: Share of population living in urban and rural areas was 78.8% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Share of population living in urban and rural areas in France, 1950–2025
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
France recorded 78.8% for share of population living in urban and rural areas in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.1% on the previous year and up 1.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban and rural areas in France peaked at 78.8% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 54.7%, in 1950.
France ranks 78th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 76 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 57.7% | 54.7% | 60.9% | 10 |
| 1960s | 66.4% | 61.7% | 70.8% | 10 |
| 1970s | 72.7% | 71.4% | 73.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 73.6% | 73.2% | 73.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 75.0% | 74.1% | 76.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 77.2% | 76.5% | 77.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 77.8% | 77.1% | 78.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 78.8% | 78.7% | 78.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near France
More population data for France
- World population growth -0.0% (2100)
- Population density 125.07 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.16 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.0% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.61 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.61 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 721,771 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.61 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 1.64 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 1.63 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban and rural areas in France?
- Share of population living in urban and rural areas in France was 78.8% in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 78.8% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 54.7% in 1950.
- How does France rank for share of population living in urban and rural areas?
- France ranks 78th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of population living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in urban and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.